SA Rugby has appointed its first female executive council member.
Ilhaam Groenewald was elected last week and will be attending her first meeting as part of the executive in the city next week, Saru said yesterday.
Groenewald will bring her extensive experience in sports management to the table as she joins the 12-person executive council.
“My passion is sport management and development, so when I was asked if I was happy to have my name put forward, I had no hesitation,” said Groenewald.
"You cannot work in sports administration in the Western Cape and not know about rugby so I have very good insight into the work that SA Rugby does.”
She fills one of two seats for independent members of Saru’s executive council. Monde Tabata, who has been appointed to administrate the embattled Eastern Province Rugby Union, will return to the other independent seat.
Groenewald said she was excited to contribute towards rugby in South Africa.
“I know SA Rugby has a very good story to tell and they are working hard to change SA Rugby appoints female executive
the shape of the sport - as well as converting misplaced perceptions about it.
“I am excited to be joining them to offer experience and support in that process,” she said.
“I believe I have a very good understanding of sport at the grass-roots level in our country and the challenges that are faced by our young athletes. I hope that type of background - as well as my experience in sports management - will offer some value to the Executive Council.”
Groenewald has a Bachelors degree in business administration and a Masters in sports management.
In 2014 she became the first woman to be appointed chief director of Maties Sport at Stellenbosch University, a position once occupied by legendary Springbok Danie Craven.
Originally from the Northern Cape, Groenewald moved to Cape Town in 1988 to pursue her studies. She has served in the leadership structures of many sports bodies in higher education, including being the first woman to serve as chair of University Sports South Africa and is the current First Vice-President of University Sport South Africa.
In her broad experience in sports leadership, she has also been head of delegation for SA teams at multisport events, served on committees of Sascoc, is chairwoman of the Heads of Sport forum, a member of Varsity Sports, and is a board member and trustee of Varsity Cup rugby.
While Groenewald is the first woman on the SA Rugby executive council, national rugby leadership has seen the input of female leaders in its previous structures.
Two women - Mandisa Kalako-Williams and Viwe Qegu - were representatives in the now-defunct Presidentâ??s Council during 2006 and 2007. - Cape Argus